International Women’s Day: Their Day or Ours?

By ADOR LEANDA HURTADO, WARAYA/FPOP, UNFPA YAP/Y-Peer Pilipinas
March 8, 2010

Almost all significant elements in our society are commemorated. Numerous celebrations are being recognized annually to honor women, mothers, fathers, teachers, youth, the earth, animals, the environment, and the list goes on. Even shortening the event to hours or extending it to weeks, months or even whole year round. But what is so significant about these “day” celebrations or commemorative schedules when most people are not aware of it and some doesn’t even care.

Well, I do; and some do.

The United Nations in 1977, two years after the International Women's Year celebration, adopted a resolution during the General Assembly proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace as it has been first observed on March 8 of 1975. Since then, the 8th of March has been known as the International Women’s Day.

So why dedicate a day exclusively to the celebration of the world's women? In adopting its resolution on the observance of Women's Day, the General Assembly cited two reasons. One was to recognize the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation, equality and development of women. Second was to acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security.

For the women of the world, the Day's symbolism has a bigger meaning. Apart from the sole recognition, it is an occasion to review how far they have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. And an opportunity as well to unite, network and mobilize for a meaningful change.

This year’s theme for the International Women’s Day is “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All”. As shared by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, “Gender equality and women’s empowerment are fundamental to the global mission of the United Nations to achieve equal rights and dignity for all... But equality for women and girls is also an economic and social imperative. Until women and girls are liberated from poverty and injustice, all our goals – peace, security, sustainable development – stand in jeopardy."

Indeed, women are facing developmental and societal issues in parts of the world. Mothers, young ladies, girls, and women are struggling for equality and equity over opportunities and meaning that hinders their development as well as ours. Until we do not respect their identity, their roles, and their significance in our society and in our lives, we have not fully attained the true meaning of progress and development. Be it in our communities or in our society, in our employment or in our families, we must treat them with respect and with dignity much as we do with ourselves.

As a youth advocate and a person of respect, I am one with the many who acknowledges this day not just as the International Women’s Day but a day for change! Equal rights, Equal Opportunities so as to achieve progress for all!

So, is it their day or ours?